What a joke. Mike Richards won today's game in overtime… that is, before his goal was disallowed and a penalty was called on Chris Pronger for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Flames went on to win in a shootout, 3-2.

Pronger waved his hand in front of Miikka Kiprusoff ever so slightly, causing Richards' goal to be waved off. You can thank the "Sean Avery Rule" for this one.

Back in 2008, the NHL clarified its unsportsmanlike conduct rule to address Avery's actions (shown below).

"National Hockey League Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell today issued the following advisory on the interpretation of Rule 75 – Unsportsmanlike Conduct: "An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play."

The refs refused to comment on the call after the game.

Does what Pronger did look anything like Avery's actions?

Just a horrible interpretation of the rule. Both videos after the jump.

This is why the officiating in the NHL is the worst of all major sports…these refs can decide a game without explanation or recourse. There is no punishment system in place when these assholes fuck up like this. I turned the game off at that point in disgust

That isn’t the rule. The rule is that the referee can call whatever he feels is unsportsmanlike. Rule 75.1 guys. You’re quoting a statement made by Colin Campbell, not the official rule. There is no “Avery Rule” in the NHL rulebook, they just made made a note that when a player does something like what Pronger did today it should be deemed unsportsmanlike by the refs.
The right call was made.

hey Jesus….idk if you read the whole quote but here it is for you
“National Hockey League Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell today issued the following advisory on the interpretation of Rule 75 – Unsportsmanlike Conduct: “An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender’s face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play.”
Colin Campbell was advising the refs to call that particular version of unsportsmanlike for that particular situation if the above occurs. now his “advice” essentially means this “all Nhl refs, call it this way”
So shut up and get outta here. ur probly a basketball fan or a penguins fan. and therefore have no business on this site anyway